A BELOVED family run bakery has abruptly ceased trading as price increases continue to bite small businesses.
Butter Wouldn’t Melt in Warrington, Cheshire has told sweet-toothed fans that it will not be renewing its lease.
For years, the eatery has been serving up tasty cakes, brunches and lunches.
But the owners have devastated fans with a post uploaded to Instagram.
However, the bakery will still be taking online orders and urged locals to stay tuned for any future updates.
The unit is now available to lease and it is listed on Zoopla for £16,000 per annum.
Other closures
Plenty of other retailers are closing stores across the country’s high streets as households lean towards online shopping.
Businesses have also been impacted by high business rates and cost pressures and are anticipating a dramatic increase in employment costs from April.
Soaring inflation in recent years has also dented shoppers’ pockets.
The Centre for Retail Research’s latest analysis suggests 13,479 stores, the equivalent of 37 each day, shut for good in 2024.
Fashion chain Monki, owned by H&M, has announced it will close all of its high street stores with one in Arndale, Manchester having shut this year.
The Body Shop has pulled down the shutters on five branches in Exeter, Plymouth, Horsham, Norwich and Sheffield.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Beloved chef to close restaurant for heartbreaking reason” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369483466112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Three other branches have already closed in Cambridge and Hove.
Stationer WHSmith shuttered a branch in Bournemouth.
The Entertainer, which has 160 branches across the UK, has also confirmed it will permanently shutter its branch in Croydon’s Whitgift shopping centre.
And, Menkind, which sells everything from toys to technology, will close down its branch in Kingfisher shopping centre in Redditch just three months after opening.
All in all, the Centre for Retail Research estimates more stores will close this year than last.
It predicts around 17,350 sites could close for good, made up of around 14,660 independent shops.
Recent years have already seen huge numbers of closures in towns.
For example, Homebase crashed into administration in November, but it was partially rescued by billionaire Chris Dawson who owns The Range and Wilko.
He is looking to retain up to 70 stores and save 1,600 jobs, however, closing down sales are appearing in stores all across the country.
To find out if a Homebase is closing near you, go on the retailer’s website and use the store locator.